42-38025 Flak Happy
Arthur D (Dean) Batchelor (Kansas)
George A. Males (Kansas City Kansas)
Frank J. Tersigni (Ohio)
Willie L. Cole (Little Rock Ak.)
Front row, left to right:
Earl A. Johnson
Harold H. Peters (New York)
Lt. GourdJian
Richard J. Driscoll
The B-17, 42-38025, named 'Flak Happy' was stationed at Podington, England (station 109).
It was part of the 327th Squadron of the 92nd Bomb Group. It crashed July 16, 1944 near Mittenwald, Bavaria while on a bomb mission to Munich targeting the BMW plant. Three planes were lost on that mission, this being one of the three. All crew survived the crash landing and were taken prisoner immediately. Missing Aircrew Report 7565. All sent to Stalag Luft IV, but reports indicate some were transferred after initial confinement.
Sent through to the museum by Tom Crew, whose father flew on B-17 42-38025.
Object Number - UPL 19611 - Back row, left to right: Arthur D (Dean) Batchelor (Kansas) George A. Males (Kansas City Kansas) Frank J. Tersigni ...
Delivered Cheyenne 17/11/43; Gr Island 8/12/43; Presque Is 12/12/43; Assigned 327BS/92BG [UX-Q] Podington 4/1/44; Missing in Action Munich 16/7/44 with Earl Johnson, Co-pilot: Harold Peters, Navigator: Henry Harrison, Bombardier: Dick Driscoll, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gordon Zimmermann, Radio Operator: Art Bachelor, Ball turret gunner: Willie Cole, Waist gunner: George Males, Tail gunner: Frank Tersigni (9 Prisoner of War); mech fault, crashed Mittenwald, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 7565. FLAK HAPPY.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-741260
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier; Navigator, Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
![A bomber crew of the 92nd Bomb Group return to Podington following a mission flying B-17 Flying Fortresses to Wittenberg. A B-17 Flying Fortress (NV-K, serial number 42-29994) is visible in the background. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 23 Feb 1945' [stamp]. ' News Chronicle Copyright Picture' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Crew back from Wittenberg.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379172.jpg.webp?itok=G7D0FciD)
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: PIAAF / Presque Is
Missions
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
16 July 1944 | Aircraft crash landed 1 km from town of Mittenwald, Germany due to mechanical failure. All crew survived the crash and were captured and held as POWs. |
Revisions
Added a space before the words “Tail gunner” in the A/C “Description” section.
Edit by Gerald Peters Dec 11,2015.
Correct name: Harold Peters
List aircraft name: Flak Harry
Description & location of crash
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7565 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database